LONDON — U.K. performer, creator and TV personality Sophie Anderson has passed away at 36, industry friends and associates have confirmed.

Anderson, a larger-than-life figure and inclusivity icon, parlayed her adult career into mainstream celebrity, co-starring with fellow U.K. performer Rebecca Moore in several shows and public appearances as “The Cock Destroyers.”

The Bristol-born performer performed in adult videos since 2017, excelling at both studio work and her own content creation. Her IAFD credits include works for noted studios such as Fake Taxi, Reality Kings, Brazzers, DDF, Wicked and Evil Angel.

As one of the Cock Destroyers, Anderson became a household name in the U.K., starring in the popular 2020 reality show “Slag Wars: The Next Destroyer,” releasing a music single (“Driving for Dick”) and reaching bona fide cult status in the LGBTQ+ and sex worker communities as an iconic figure.

Confirming her passing to the public, Moore wrote on her Instagram page, “I’m devastated hearing the awful news of Sophie’s passing. We shared some amazing times together and that’s how I’m going to remember her. The bubbly, funny, kind hearted soul who was outrageous on the outside but also so gentle behind closed doors. We were very close, and we shared a crazy time together that was totally unique to us. That’s how I will remember her. This is so tragic but I know you are now at peace. I will always always love you and hold a special place in my heart.”

LOS ANGELES — XBIZ is pleased to announce that Ethical Capital Partners (ECP) partner and VP of Compliance Solomon Friedman will deliver the keynote address at XBIZ 2024, set for Jan. 15-18.

North America’s largest adult industry conference will once again bring together top stars, indie creators, digital media pros, company execs and newcomer entrepreneurs for boundless business opportunities — and for a comprehensive look at the future of adult entertainment.

A prominent attorney and legal scholar, the Canada-based Friedman made international news in March when ECP, a private equity firm in which Solomon is a partner, announced it had acquired MindGeek and its subsidiary companies and assets, including Pornhub and a portfolio of high-profile paysites.

In August, MindGeek was rebranded as Aylo.

Friedman’s background is as a noted trial and appellate lawyer, legal author and adjunct law professor. He clerked for a Canadian Supreme Court justice, is certified as a specialist in criminal law by the Law Society of Ontario and has appeared before standing committees of both the House of Commons and Senate in Canada, offering testimony about criminal, regulatory and constitutional law matters.

A staunch advocate of transparency, Friedman will discuss the Ottawa-based group’s vision for Aylo and its brands, the challenges of operating a large, international adult entertainment business in the current political and cultural climate, and the company’s role within the adult industry.

For event information, visit XBIZShow.com.

NEW YORK — Over three years after XBIZ reported on how an obscure U.S. foundation was funding sponsored anti-porn content that ran amidst the actual journalistic pieces written by the staff of The Guardian newspaper, the self-proclaimed “world’s leading liberal voice” continues publishing similarly produced slanted pieces calling for state regulation of adult content online.

Most of these pieces, sensationalizing supposed “harms” being inflicted on both minors and adults by exposure to sexually explicit content, have been authored for several years by a single freelancer, Harriet Grant.

Among Grant’s recent attention-demanding headlines include: “Thousands of U.K. Young People Caught Watching Online Child Abuse Images,” “U.K. School Pupils ‘Using AI to Create Indecent Imagery of Other Children,” “Pornography Driving U.K. Teens Towards Child Abuse Material, Say Experts,” “‘It Stole My Soul’: Readers on How Watching Porn at a Young Age Affected Their Life,” and “A Fifth of Teenagers Watch Pornography Frequently and Some Are Addicted, U.K. Study Finds.”

All of these articles ran in 2023, parallel with a relentless campaign by the Tory government and its media allies to pass the Online Safety Act, which finally became law in October after many years of delays.

The Online Safety Act, criticized by virtually all online privacy and digital rights advocacy groups and activists, grants broad powers to the politicians and bureaucrats appointed to the U.K.’s regulatory agency, the Office of Communications (Ofcom), to target material they consider “harmful,” essentially reestablishing content-based state censorship in the U.K.

Although a few of Grant’s pieces stoking anti-porn panic have ran as actual Guardian articles, several others are discreetly labeled as partnerships between The Guardian Foundation and the generically — and vaguely — named U.S. nonprofit Humanity United.

As XBIZ reported in March 2020, these articles look almost exactly like the rest of The Guardian’s online content, with the same font, design, artwork, layout and out-links to other stories.

Framing All Porn as ‘Exploitation’ and ‘Trafficking’

Back then, The Guardian classified these invariably pro-War On Porn reports as part of its “Exploitation in Focus” series, noting the content was produced “under the sponsorship of Humanity United.”

Guardian pieces included quotes from Labour politicians claiming that “the online harms bill doesn’t go far enough” and that the government has “to get control” over the adult industry, offered a platform to religiously inspired Exodus Cry mouthpiece Laila Mickelwait to conflate consensual and nonconsensual adult content, and openly advocated for “shutting down” Pornhub.

Buried in the small print next to the article, a link led to a page where The Guardian disclosed that the “Exploitation in Focus” series was “supported, in part, through a grant to TheGuardian.org by Humanity United, a U.S.-based foundation dedicated to bringing new approaches to global problems that have long been considered intractable.”

A disclaimer described the Humanity United content as “editorially independent” and covering “modern-day slavery.” As XBIZ noted, by categorizing its pornography coverage as part of its modern day slavery section, The Guardian implicitly conflated legal, consensual adult entertainment production and distribution with human trafficking.

Launched in 2008, Humanity United claims to be a foundation “dedicated to cultivating the conditions for enduring freedom and peace. Working from a belief that whatever problems humans create humans can solve, we support and build efforts to change the systems that suppress human rights and contribute to human suffering.”

“At Humanity United, we believe in the power of people to bring about extraordinary change,” the group states. “When humanity is united, we can act together to create a powerful force for human dignity.”

The Omidyar Network

The Humanity United webpage discloses that this generically named nonprofit is “part of The Omidyar Group, a diverse collection of organizations, each guided by its own approach, but united by a common desire to catalyze social impact.”

The Omidyar Group is the philanthropic arm of billionaire couple Pierre and Pam Omidyar. Pierre Omidyar founded eBay and wrote the proprietary code that underlies it.

Pam Omidyar, who describes herself as “a philanthropist, mom, and ocean lover,” steers the Omidyar Network, “a philanthropic investment firm, funding both for-profit companies and nonprofit organizations to create opportunity for individuals around the world to improve their own lives.”

“Soon after the creation of Omidyar Network, there was a clear realization that there are some people who are unable to take advantage of the economic opportunities Omidyar Network creates,” the couple’s philanthropic literature proclaims. “As a result, Pam had a vision for the creation of Humanity United — a foundation dedicated to bringing new approaches to global problems that have long been considered intractable.”

Humanity United, as part of its core mission, “builds, leads, and supports efforts to change the systems that contribute to problems like human trafficking, mass atrocities, and violent conflict.”

Although back in 2020, the Humanity United logo could be found on the articles demonizing the adult industry and advocating for state intervention penned by Harriet Grant, the 2023 articles only show the logo of TheGuardian.org.

Journalism vs. Paid Advocacy

TheGuardian.org is a nonprofit connected to the Guardian news organization whose very much admitted advocacy mission is “to advance and inform public discourse and citizen participation around the most pressing issues of our time through the support of independent journalism and journalistic projects at the Guardian.”

TheGuardian.org, its literature states, “will identify projects where it can partner across a range of organizations including academic institutions, other charitable organizations, non-profit media, and NGOs.”

Although many people associate The Guardian news organization with the U.K., where it originated, and with the British political left, wealthy members of the U.S. business and nonprofit elite comprise the bulk of the TheGuardian.org’s board.

The 2023 anti-porn articles by Grant link out to a page disclosing the Humanity United funding like it did three years ago.

A peculiar disclaimer states that “The only restriction to the Guardian’s coverage is where Humanity United is prohibited under U.S. law from directly funding or earmarking funds to: (a) conduct lobbying or otherwise attempt to influence legislation; (b) influence the outcome of any specific or public election; (c) undertake any activities for a non-charitable purpose; (d) induce or encourage violations of law or public policy; or (e) cause any private inurement or improper private benefit to occur. This means that any communications to the public in which a view is expressed about a specific legislative proposal, and the recipients of the communications are urged through a ‘call to action’ to contact government officials, must provide a reasoned, objective consideration of facts and issues in a full and fair manner that enables third parties to develop their own positions on any legislation that may be discussed.”

Grant’s latest piece, published on Monday, claims that “thousands of U.K. young people” were supposedly “caught” watching CSAM. It includes the following quote: “police forces and charities called for the swift implementation of the online safety bill, which includes the implementation of age-verification measures to protect children from pornography.”

A Policeman’s Musings About Human Sexual Development

Grant’s pieces regularly quote conservative members of law enforcement, religious activists and government officials disparaging adult content in the broadest terms and making sweeping claims based on unquestioned “scientific reports” or surveys. No or little attempt appears to have been made to contact any stakeholders with actual knowledge of the adult industry.

The Monday piece includes quotes from Tony Garner, a West Mercia policeman who has worked with religious anti-porn groups and believes that “access to very extreme pornography” is literally changing people’s brains.

“I’ve been in policing 20 years and have been scratching my head the past couple of years about the harm we are seeing,” Garner told Grant about what he considers especially “abhorrent” material.

“It’s scary,” Garner continued. “As a country, as a society, it feels completely out of control.”

Grant allows the policeman to share at length, unquestioned and without consulting anyone with expertise, his notions about brain chemistry and human sexual development.

Garner considers minors are “desensitized” by porn and develop an “increasing interest in shocking material after being exposed to violent pornography.”

Grant, The Guardian and the sponsoring foundations also repeat Garner’s assertion that “children are becoming addicted to very harmful material” and his demand for “intervention.”

The policeman is then allowed to dissertate at some length about his personal fantasies of how teenagers process adult content. “Let’s say you are a 12-year-old boy and you look online for sexual videos of girls your own age,” he told Grant. “It’s natural [that] young people will be curious in this way. But what they find is rape and abuse material. It’s horrific.”

“The erotic template is being formed by young people masturbating to increasingly extreme material, even pedophilic material,” the West Mercia law enforcement officer concluded.

MIAMI — TeamSkeet has released the full version of its latest feature, “Addie Addison’s Day Off,” starring the TeamSkeet December AllStar, exclusively for its VIP subscribers.

The “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” parody also features Eden West, Serena Hill, Nicky Rebel, Sergeant Miles, Tony Deez and Scott Trainor.

The action opens with Addison “faking being sick to skip school,” said a rep. “Little does she know, this little stunt is about to spiral into a crazy and horny adventure! Allie is the master of slacking, using her sexy charm to avoid trouble with her stepdad (Miles), stepbrother (Deez), her principal (Trainor), and anyone else blocking her path to a day filled with some naughty fun.

“’Allie Addison’s Day Off’ is a whirlwind of excitement, capturing Allie’s magnetic energy and fearless spirit,” the rep added. “It’s a wink to a classic, spiced up with TeamSkeet’s own unique style,”

The feature is available on TeamSkeet for VIP members; the first scene drops Dec. 14 for all subscribers.

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. — XR Brands has introduced its new 10X Thrusting & 10X Vibrating Saddle Sex Machine, from its Lovebotz line.

The saddle features three speeds, seven vibration patterns and 10 thrusting speeds, along with four silicone attachments — three dildos and a non-penetrating clitoral stimulator.

“Sex machines continue to grow in popularity, and we have been steadily expanding our saddle series from Lovebotz,” said XR Brands President Rebecca Weinberg. “This new thrusting sex machine is a whole new frontier and offers shoppers something new alongside the familiar stimulation options that ride-on sex machines offer. We recognize that sex machine shoppers are preparing to make a sizable investment in their pleasure, and we’re thrilled to offer them something that is not only new and exciting, but that is also a quality product that will stand the test of time. The Bucking Saddle is a product shoppers can feel good about investing in.”

For more information, visit XRBrands.

LOS ANGELES — Lorals will showcase its newest product lines at Vibe Expo, “The Pleasure Show,” set to take place at the stylish Lowes Hollywood Hotel January 12-13.

The event is set to deliver a groundbreaking experience for the realm of sexual wellness, and Lorals is gearing up to make a splash with the unveiling two new underwear collections, Lorals for Protection and Lorals for Pleasure.

“Lorals for Protection fit just like your favorite lingerie, while blocking the transmission of bodily fluids, harmful pathogens, and STIs/STDs during cunnilingus and rimming,” said a rep. “Lorals for Pleasure feel luxurious against the skin and transfer every lick, touch, and tease. Go ahead — rim without worry, have mess-free period oral, explore BDSM, dress up in sexy latex lingerie, and boost your confidence and comfort during oral and foreplay.”

Lorals founder and CEO Melanie Cristol enthused, “We’re very excited to bring Lorals to Vibe Expo and help even more people to be able to say ‘yes’ to oral, every time.”

Vibe Expo will showcase an extraordinary range of products, including vibes, lube, games, lingerie and euphoric goods, along with other complementary products for elevated pleasure. In addition, the event will offer a lineup of engaging master classes and experiential sessions that focus on fostering knowledge and awareness about sexual well-being.

For more information, visit MyLorals.

Dec 4, 2023 3:35 PM PST

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — Adreena Winters has scored the 2024 XBIZ Awards nomination for Clip Artist of the Year.

“I’m truly honored to be nominated for Clip Artist of the Year,” said Winters. “This recognition means the world to me, and I’m grateful for the support of my fans. It’s a testament to the hard work and dedication that goes into creating content that resonates with audiences.”

The 2024 XBIZ Awards will recognize the best in the industry on Sunday, Jan. 21 at the historic Hollywood Palladium. In keeping with tradition, select award categories under Web & Technology, Pleasure Products and Retail will be presented at the two editions of the annual XBIZ Honors ceremonies.

Voting is now open. Click here for a full list of nominees.

Follow Adreena Winters on X.com.

Dec 4, 2023 3:33 PM PST

LOS ANGELES — Cassidy Luxe and Octavia Red have made their debuts on DPDiva and PervCity, respectively.

In her DPDiva debut, “Naughty Tattooed Blonde Cassidy Luxe Gets Hardcore DP, DVP and Facial,” Luxe stars with Milan Ponjevic and Donny Sins.

“Milan and Donny were amazing scene partners,” said Luxe.  “I loved being stuffed up with their cocks and we got to do double vag (for my first time).”

Next, Red stars with Isiah Maxwell for PervCity.

“I was very surprised to find myself on a PervCity set,” said Red. “I don’t do anal, so it’s a special privilege — especially with Isaiah.”

Follow Cassidy Luxe and Octavia Red on X.com.

Dec 4, 2023 3:31 PM PST

CHICAGO — Seska Lee has won FansRevenue’s creator competition.

“We are thrilled to have found Seska through this contest and, amazingly, it coincides with the 25th anniversary of her career,” said FansRevenue marketing director Olivier Tremblay. “She’s a true ambassador for the whole cam industry — past, present and future. We feel it’s the start of a great partnership between Seska and FansRevenue to help her further monetize her loyal fanbase.”

Seska Lee enthused about the win.

“I want to show that a woman with a natural body and gray hair can be vivaciously empowered on her terms,” she said.

For more information, visit FansRevenue.

Follow Seska Lee on X.com.